DESTIN, Fla. — For the first time in several years, SEC coaches and officials convene for their annual spring meetings without a debate on the agenda about whether to play eight or nine conference football games per season. With that thorny issue resolved earlier this month, the SEC turns its attention to other matters this week.
Foremost among them: an expected NCAA Division I Board of Directors vote in August to give “autonomy” to the SEC and four other major conferences, enabling the 65 schools in those lucrative leagues to provide athletes increased benefits and resources.
That could include extra money to cover the “full cost of attendance” beyond tuition, fees, room, board and books. The leagues also could exert autonomous control over other player benefits and issues such as transfers and agents.
Aside from autonomy, other talking points at this week’s meetings include the SEC Network, which launches in August and is still trying to line up distribution; the College Football Playoff, which begins this season with the SEC hoping to have two teams in position to make the four-team field; the possibility of an early signing period in football recruiting; and the state of men’s basketball in the SEC, a source of concern at last year’s meetings.
Please check back for updates on all of these topics and others throughout the week.
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